Farm vs other models for wetting the sponges

[chadtexas]

I have several AeroGarden models from the Sprout up to the Farm 12 XL. I've noticed the tops of the sponges for the Farm 12 XL don't seem to wet down the tops of some of the sponges and thus not wetting the seeds. The Farm is full with 2 gallons and I ran the test pump and all the spots have water flowing in the same amounts. Some spots did get the sponges wet at the top but not all. This is after several days. So I manually watered the tops and now I have stuff sprouting. I then took a look at the rest of my units and it appears that the tops of the sponges are all wet - so no issues. I had a 2nd Farm 12 XL arrive today and I just decided to place the pods in and then water their tops slightly after I filled the basin so as to avoid this potential issue I had seen with the other one.

Has anyone else had this experience? Do you normally just pre-soak your sponges?

Thanks.

[lynnee]

chadtexas, I haven't really noticed that. When the tops of sponges aren't getting wet, I just push the sponges further down into the plastic pods.

Is your Farm 12 XL filled to the "Fill to here" opening? It runs in my mind that the Farms hold more than 2 gallons. I always start my Farms with the water completely at the top of the opening into the water bowl itself.

Also, is your Farm level? If it isn't fairly level, with the bowl seated properly in the frame, then some of the pods might not contact the water in the bowl.

That said, your solution seems perfectly fine.

I'm glad that you thought to check the pump. The pump emits an audible hum when it's on. With my Farm 12 Plus, the pump stopped working--if it ever started at all--after a week or so. I tested the pump in another AG, so it was clearly a problem with the circuit board.

Aerogarden sent me a replacement hood under the warranty, and the garden is working fine now. (No cost to me for the hood, except my labor in taking the Farm apart and reassembling it.)

[Shawn]

I have noticed that at times but I do not worry as my plants will grow just fine.  However I too will pour some water into the tops to wet.  Or better yet I will wet the sponge then add the seeds (I use Park's sponges).

Also as lynn as mentioned make sure the unit is level,  That can effect the flow too.

[chadtexas]

Dec 21, 2021 22:46:10 GMT -5 lynnee said:

chadtexas , I haven't really noticed that. When the tops of sponges aren't getting wet, I just push the sponges further down into the plastic pods.

Is your Farm 12 XL filled to the "Fill to here" opening? It runs in my mind that the Farms hold more than 2 gallons. I always start my Farms with the water completely at the top of the opening into the water bowl itself.

Also, is your Farm level? If it isn't fairly level, with the bowl seated properly in the frame, then some of the pods might not contact the water in the bowl.

That said, your solution seems perfectly fine.

I'm glad that you thought to check the pump. The pump emits an audible hum when it's on. With my Farm 12 Plus, the pump stopped working--if it ever started at all--after a week or so. I tested the pump in another AG, so it was clearly a problem with the circuit board.

Aerogarden sent me a replacement hood under the warranty, and the garden is working fine now. (No cost to me for the hood, except my labor in taking the Farm apart and reassembling it.)

I initially added the 2 gallons and got it up to the fill line, the sponges were pushed down and the unit is level. It seems weird that some of the openings where the pods were placed had soaked sponges and a few others didn't (at the top). I dunno. I think the lesson here is just soak the sponges (like Shawn  stated he does), or water them initially from the top once they are in-place.

lynnee I've been curious on the Farm XL when it's pump is running (or not). I have a rather large boxy/noisy household fan pushing cooler air into my office since it can get warm with all the units in here so its difficult to hear when pumps go on and off at times. I ordered a tower fan though that's supposed to be a little more quiet so I will be curious if I can hear the pumps kick in or not. They do seem like they are working, I just wish the screen also stated the last time they ran. That would be a nice feature.

Thanks all!

[chadtexas]

eh, I also just realized I should've posted this in the Farm group since this one is sprouts to bounties. Sorry.

[Shawn]

Dec 22, 2021 10:05:55 GMT -5 chadtexas said:

eh, I also just realized I should've posted this in the Farm group since this one is sprouts to bounties. Sorry.

I can move it there

[campingcorgis]

I prefer to pre-soak my pods, prior to placing them in the AG.  I'm careful about it.  I have a regular drinking glass filled with water and I dunk each pod into the glass.  I keep my finger over the hole in it, to avoid displacing the seeds.  If I'm using a "grow anything" set up, then I just stick all of the sponges in the glass, making sure they are thoroughly soaked before placing the sponge in the pod and then placing the seeds in the sponge.  Recently, I've started using a small funnel to help place the seeds in the wet sponge.  Some seeds are so tiny, it is difficult to place them and/or they get stuck to my damp fingers or tweezers!

Shawn mentioned that she uses Park sponges...and I use those too.  They come to you already a tad damp.  Some folks like that, others not so much.  I find they absorb the water easier than others.

It is a learning process.  But, that's part of the fun too, no?   

[Sher]

I started presoaking all my sponges a while back to make sure they will wick water properly.

[lynnee]

chadtexas , you said:

"I've been curious on the Farm XL when it's pump is running (or not). I have a rather large boxy/noisy household fan pushing cooler air into my office since it can get warm with all the units in here so its difficult to hear when pumps go on and off at times. I ordered a tower fan though that's supposed to be a little more quiet so I will be curious if I can hear the pumps kick in or not. They do seem like they are working, I just wish the screen also stated the last time they ran. That would be a nice feature."

Many of the touchscreen AGs--including the newer Bounties and all of the Farms--have an option somewhere in the display to "Test Pump". Tap that square, and the pump will run for one minute, regardless of your pump timer settings.

On the Farm 12, find "Test Pump" by tapping More Options|Pump|Test Pump.

FWIW, the pump on the AGs will run continuously after the garden goes from Germination Mode to High Growth Mode. The garden changes this setting automatically.

You can totally customize the pump running times on the Farms and many of the fancier Bounties. Probably you can do this on any model that connects with the app, but I don't have experience with newer models except for the Bounties and Farms.

The pumps on the models that have the water trickling down from the pod openings run very quietly. I can feel a slight vibration on the frame of my Farm XL when the pump is running, but it's easiest to use Test Pump.